Timeline: Revitalizing an ethnic market
By Rebecca teBrake
The Millennium Gate commemorates Chinese Canadian history
1858: The first Chinese immigrants come to Vancouver from California.
1885: Thousands of Chinese immigrants arrive to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. They are forced to settle around 1st Avenue in Vancouver because of discrimination.
1971: Chinatown is declared an historic area.
1970-80: With an influx of wealthy immigrants, the Chinese population begins to shift to the suburbs. Chinatown loses its status as the only Chinese market in the Lower Mainland.
1993: Woodward’s Department Store, a major economic driver in the Downtown Eastside, closes.
1995: The Chinatown Memorial Square is created.
2000: The storefront vacancy rate on East Pender Street, in the heart of Chinatown, reaches 14.2 per cent. The City of Vancouver begins the Downtown Eastside Revitalization Program, including the Chinatown Revitalization Program. The focus is on community safety and economic revitalization.
2002: Vancouver City Council adopts the Chinatown Vision document outlining the revitalization plan. The plan includes initiatives to help businesses attract new customers. The Chinatown Millennium Gate opens.
2003: Vancouver approves heritage incentives in Chinatown.
2005: The Chinatown Community Plan is adopted to support the implementation of the Chinatown Vision.
2006: The storefront vacancy rate on East Pender Street drops to 8 per cent, one of the lowest rates in the city.
Posted by Rebecca teBrake
on Nov 13 2008. Filed under Business.
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